NEWS
USCIS publishes information on H-1B RFEs for FY2015–FY2019 and the Top 30 H-1B Employers of FY2018
USCIS provides data on H-1B RFEs from FY2015 through the first quarter of FY2019, as well as data on the top 30 employers with the most H-1B petition approvals in fiscal year 2018.
Not So Fast – New Policy Makes Satisfying the One-Year Qualifying Employment for L-1 Harder
Mr. G, the president of a multinational company (MNC), wanted me to explore immigration options for a prospective employee (KG). KG is an international student at a U.S. institution, currently in the Optional Practical Training phase of his degree, who [...]
DOL Statistics on H-1Bs – First Quarter of FY2019
The DOL OFLC has released H-1B statistics as of 12/31/18. The data includes the number of LCAs received, top occupations, states, and employers, as well as the number of certified, denied, and withdrawn LCAs, number of positions requested and certified, [...]
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions Filed on or before Dec. 21, 2018
USCIS announced late Friday (2/15/2019) that it would resume premium processing on Tuesday, Feb. 19, for all H-1B petitions filed on or before Dec. 21, 2018. This means change of employer petitions filed after this date, or immediately will not [...]
USCIS to Publish Revised Form I-539 and New Form I-539A
USCIS has revised Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and will publish the revised form on their website on March 11, 2019. Beginning March 11, 2019, USCIS will only accept the revised Form I-539 with an edition date of [...]
USCIS Now Accepting Copies of Negative P Visa Consultations Directly from Labor Unions
Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters directly from labor unions relating to a current or future P nonimmigrant visa petition. A consultation letter from a U.S. labor organization is generally required for petitions in the [...]
H-1B CAP 2019 – Are You Ready?
Join us for a free webinar on February 22, 2019 12pm-1pm EST. Register Now The idea behind this webinar is to harness the valuable experience learned from processing H-1Bs from prior years and how various RFEs have created a valuable [...]
DHS Announces Final Rule for a More Effective and Efficient H-1B Visa Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted today for public inspection, a final rule amending regulations governing H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those that may be eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The final rule reverses the order by which USCIS [...]
USCIS Makes Two More Applications Available for Online Filing
USCIS announced today that applicants can now complete and file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 online. Applicants can file Form N-600 to obtain a Certificate [...]
DHS Proposes Changes to the H-1B Visa Lottery Process
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed review of the H-1B proposed regulation as of January 25, 2019. It must be published in the Federal Register before the rule can go into effect. We will post any updates [...]
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions
Alert: USCIS will resume premium processing on Monday, Jan. 28 for all fiscal year (FY) 2019 H-1B cap petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption (the “master’s cap”). The previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing remains in [...]
USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Dates for February 2019
USCIS determined that for February 2019, the Dates for Filing chart must be used for family-based preference filings and the Final Action Dates chart must be used for employment-based preference filings.
USCIS launches new online fee calculator to help avoid incorrect payments
USCIS has launched a new Online Fee Calculator to assist members of the public in calculating the correct fee amount to include when filing their forms with USCIS at an agency lockbox facility. A list of forms processed at USCIS [...]
H-1B CAP & USCIS’ New Registration Process – What You Need to Know!
Introduction: On December 3, 2018, USCIS-DHS, published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to change the H-1B filing and random selection (read lottery) process. The new process will require employer’s to electronically register to file each prospective petition for their [...]
ALERT – LCA system Down
LCA and PERM Prevailing Wages Processing to Resume Tentatively at 2:00 p.m. EST on MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019 Last night, the DOL announced that: The iCERT system for application processing is tentatively scheduled to open at 2:00 p.m. EST [...]
ALERT – LCA system Down – iCERT Portal System is currently unavailable
Updated January 3, 2019, 10:40 AM EST Within first five minutes of opening the semi-annual H-2B certification process on January 1, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor iCERT system had an unprecedented demand for H-2B certifications with more than [...]
Update on USCIS Practice of Denying Pending Forms I-131 for Abandonment Due to International Travel
USCIS recently updated its website with information regarding the agency's practice of denying pending Form I-131 advance parole applications for abandonment due to international travel. Specifically, USCIS indicates on its website that if an applicant files Form I-131, Application for [...]
AAO Appeal Adjudications statistics FY 2014 – 2018
When adjudicating an appeal on the merits, the AAO generally sustains (approves), dismisses (denies), or remands (returns) the appeal. USCIS posts AAO appeal statistics report from FY 2014-2018.
USCIS Offices Closed Wednesday December 5
All USCIS offices will be closed Wednesday to Dec. 5, a national day of mourning to remember the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. USCIS will reschedule all naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments [...]